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Her lips pressed together in a tight line as she sucked in a sharp breath through her nose. Sometimes, I wondered if my mom knew more than she let on. If she’d been aware of the things I’d gone through with Nate or had at least had an inkling. I wouldn’t ask, and perhaps she would never be in a place where she could offer me words or gestures of support. Then again, she’d been shoving me toward Oliver just a few weeks ago, so I hoped shedidn’tknow.
Breakfast was made easier when Helen and Theo emerged from upstairs, taking some of the spotlight off Lachlan and me. Under the table, he took my hand and squeezed. I mouthed, “Sorry,” and he shook his head.
“I don’t mind,” he murmured.
He may have meant that…before my dad launched right into his inquisition as soon as it appeared we’d gotten comfortable. Gil Sanderson didn’t have any chill.
“So, Lachlan, what are your plans after graduation?” he asked.
He wiped his mouth with his napkin and bundled it up in his fist. “I’ll be going to work on my family’s cattle ranch in Wyoming.”
My father couldn’t hide the surprise at his answer. “Ranching? Really? That’s…unexpected.”
I rubbed Lachlan’s back, leaning into him. “California only gets to borrow him. He’s biding his time until he can get back to the wide-open plains and mountains. I plan to take him to the beach as much as possible so he’ll have something to miss when he leaves.”
Twinge.
“I’ll miss a lot of things,” he said. “I don’t know if the beach is one of them.”
“Well, you don’t know that because it’s easily accessible now. When you’re gone, though…you’re going to wish you’d built more sandcastles.”
Everyone at the table laughed, then Helen took the conversational reins, telling my parents about this sandcastle art show she and Theo had seen at Venice Beach a couple weeks ago.
They stayed until my father couldn’t bear being away from his computer and office a second longer. After a flurry of hugs and promises to visit soon, they left. Theo and Helen promptly went back to bed. My parents werethatexhausting. Plus, it was only ten a.m.
Lachlan picked me up and took me to the sectional, stretching out with me on top of him.
“I’m surprised you’re not running away. That was neither light nor fun.”
He gave me one of his soft, indulgent smiles that told me he liked me. “I’ve met him. As strapping and Scandinavian as he is, I still can’t see your dad wielding an axe.”
It took me a moment to catch up, remembering one of our many,manyfights while he built my deck.
“Screw you. My dad could beat up your dad.”
That made him boom with laughter, jiggling me around on his chest. I liked it. This was what I imagined it was like lying on a vibrating mattress in a seedy motel. Well, minus the seedy motel.
“Too bad they’ll never meet. We could test that theory,” he teased.
“Yes. Too bad.”
Lachlan and I spent most of the day together, but I made him go home and sleep in his own bed. I still didn’t know how to do light and fun, but I kind of thought it meant we couldn’t spend every night together.
I regretted it as I starfished in the center of my mattress and picked up my phone to tell him to come back.
Before I could, I read a text from my dad.
Dad:I looked into your boyfriend. I assume you’re aware he’s the son of Senator Smythe-Kelly.
I had all sorts of sarcasm locked and loaded, but my father didn’t respond well to my brand of humor, so I tucked it away.
Me:Of course I’m aware of that. You didn’t need to look into Lachlan. I know him and who he is. He’s a good guy.
Dad:That may be all that’s important to you, but I need to know exactly who’s in my daughter’s life. I’m going to also assume you’re aware the “ranch” Lachlan is going to work on is a world-famous ranch resort, Sweet Brush River Ranch. The Kelly family has owned the land for generations.
I dropped my fucking phone on my nose, sending sparks of pain through my bones. I barely registered the injury to my face as my dad’s words pummeled my chest from the inside.
Thank Prada we were speaking over text. I could get away with not admitting I very much didn’t know Lachlan’s family was anything more than simple ranchers.
